David DeJulius Dominates, Stating His Case For Mr. Basketball (with Video)
Michigan class of 2018 signee David DeJulius made waves in outplaying MSU-bound Foster Loyer in a win over Clarkson.
He's been even better since.
In the week after DeJulius put up 19 points in the fourth quarter on the way to 42 in a win over Loyer and Clarkson, he scored 41 and 49 points respectively in wins over Detroit Edison and powerful Chicago Orr on back to back days.
DeJulius made nine triples in a 76-63 victory over Edison Jan. 12. The next day, just after Michigan won by 10 at Michigan State, he made nine more in the Floyd Mayweather Classic against defending Illinois state champion Orr.
DeJulius scored 29 on 7-of-10 three-pointers in the first half alone to give East English a 49-28 lead. He finished 13-of-19, including 9-of-11 triples, in a 92-82 victory, making 14-of-15 free throws and adding seven assists and three turnovers.
“Us being Detroit and they’re from Chicago ... the battle of the inner cities," DeJulius told TheWolverine.com. "It was really physical, real rough ... we had to keep our heads on straight."
DeJulius is averaging 28.5 points for East English (8-2), 37.6 the last five games, and his shooting has been off the charts. It's not just that he's making them at such a high clip, but that many of them have been behind the three-point arc.
It's become second nature for him over the past year. His shooting is one of the areas in which he's improved the most, and he said he has Michigan head coach John Beilein to thank.
"The first time he saw me he said, 'you're a heck of a player,' and then he gave me tips on my jump shot to make it better," he said. "I continued to work on it and work on it."
He was putting up 500 shots a day at times, he noted. Last year, playing in front of Beilein, he made nine three-pointers and earned a Michigan offer the same night.
His recent hot streak also has his future coach's attention. Beilein included DeJulius and his coach in a recent film session before Michigan's win over Illinois, where the future Wolverine got an early study session and some praise for his recent play.
"He says, 'wow ... this is why we need you,'" DeJulius said. "It's always good to hear that from him.
"He just keeps everyone engaged in meetings, stops to make sure everyone's attention is still there. He's very detailed, informative, gives you tips so you know exactly what to do when you step on the floor."
DeJulius was at a movie with his team when the Wolverines played at Michigan State Saturday (an 82-72 U-M win), a bonding moment with his group before they took on Chicago Orr in Grand Rapids (Mich.).
"I was looking at my phone throughout the movie," he admitted, "going back and forth between your site [at TheWolverine.com] and the Michigan basketball page.
"I like watching them. They go to the bench and there's no drop-off. Everyone is playing together, and the defense has improved a lot. Isaiah Livers' confidence level is up, and he's playing at an all-time high. Mo [Wagner] is playing through his ankle injury, or trying to. The sky’s the limit."
Beating Loyer and Clarkston was his way of doing his part for the rivalry, and he admitted it was a bit personal. He'd had a tough month, battling a groin strain that keep him out for three weeks (until Nov. 31), missed another week with viral pinkeye and more time when his grandmother passed away, but put on a show that was only the start of more to come.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn’t [take it personal]," he said. "It was, for sure. It's a Michigan - Michigan State thing, and I felt like it was time to give Michigan fans something to talk about."
He's done that and more, having propelled himself to the top of many voters' Mr. Basketball lists with his play this year.
Link to Detroit Edison win: DEJULIUS SCORES 41
---
• Talk about this article inside The Fort
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @BSB_Wolverine, @JB_ Wolverine, @AustinFox42, @AndrewVcourt and @Balas_Wolverine
• Like us on Facebook